Flannel Friday: Popcorn Kernels Math Makeover

Jessica @ Storytime in the Stacks

I copied this awesome flannel from Mel's Desk a few years ago and it has been a staple in my storytimes ever since! It's a super fun flannel as is, but when a patron recently dropped off a tin of holiday popcorn, I just knew I had to add some more flavors. I cooked up… Continue reading Flannel Friday: Popcorn Kernels Math Makeover

Thursday Thoughts: Baby Storytime and Behavior Messages

Jessica @ Storytime in the Stacks

Last week I blogged about starting storytime with gratitude. My sample messages were all from toddler or family storytime, so I wanted to talk a bit about storytime messaging with infants and caregivers. Baby storytime is extra special! Oftentimes baby storytime is a family's very first experience with the library. It's so, so important that… Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Baby Storytime and Behavior Messages

Flannel Friday: Boom! Boom! Boom! Flannel Story

Jessica @ Storytime in the Stacks

Hello everyone and Happy Picture Book Month! I wanted to share a wonderful book that just begs to be flannelized. Here's my flannelized take on Boom! Boom! Boom! by Jamie A. Swenson: The text is pretty great as is, but for flannel storytelling I adapt it by adding a little more repetition and opportunities for audience… Continue reading Flannel Friday: Boom! Boom! Boom! Flannel Story

Thursday Thoughts: Starting Storytime with Gratitude

Jessica @ Storytime in the Stacks

How do you start storytime? Do your families hear a cheerful tune as they enter the room? Do you have a puppet that plays hide and seek in the windows before the kids come in? Do you shake your sillies out before settling down to read? Do you let families know your expectations for the… Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Starting Storytime with Gratitude

Flannel Friday: One Very Big Bear

Jessica @ Storytime in the Stacks

Today I'm excited to share One Very Big Bear by Alice Briere-Haquet. I've been meaning to flannelize this picture book for a LONG time, but Flannel Friday's Picture Book Celebration this November encouraged me to get crafting and finally do it! Bear thinks he's the biggest thing around, but a succession of smaller animals soon set him… Continue reading Flannel Friday: One Very Big Bear

Storytime Spotlight: Lost and Found

Jessica @ Storytime in the Stacks

I'm prepping a Lost and Found storytime for 2020 and realized I never blogged about it in 2018! This is one of my all-time favorite storytime themes. Many young children experience separation anxiety and this theme gives us a safe space to explore those feelings. Also, who hasn't felt the anguish of losing a beloved… Continue reading Storytime Spotlight: Lost and Found

Storytime Spotlight: Animals on the “Moove”

Jessica @ Storytime in the Stacks

Have you ever noticed how many transportation books have great sounds? And how many animal books have great sounds? Well, during our latest phonological awareness focus month, I put these two together and tried a new storytime plan: animals on the "moove!" Here's how it went with my regular mixed-age Saturday storytime group. *Sing: Good… Continue reading Storytime Spotlight: Animals on the “Moove”